How did the Government Respond to the Spread of QIM? - History | UPSC Learning

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How did the Government Respond to the Spread of QIM?

How did the Government Respond to the Spread of QIM?

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📖 Introduction

<h4>Government's Swift Repression of QIM</h4><p>The <strong>Quit India Movement (QIM)</strong>, launched in <strong>August 1942</strong>, met with an immediate and severe response from the British Indian government. This response was characterized by widespread arrests and systematic suppression of the burgeoning rebellion across the country.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>The government's primary objective was to crush the movement before it could gain irreversible momentum, targeting both its leadership and its grassroots activities.</p></div><h4>Spread and Nature of the Movement</h4><p>Following the arrest of major leaders, the movement quickly decentralized, with the <strong>general public</strong> taking a leading role. This phase was marked by spontaneous acts of defiance and sabotage aimed at disrupting British administration.</p><ul><li>The public engaged in widespread attacks on <strong>symbols of authority</strong>, demonstrating their collective anger and resolve.</li><li><strong>Satyagrahis</strong> voluntarily offered themselves for arrest, embodying the spirit of non-violent resistance even amidst escalating violence.</li></ul><h4>Disruption of Infrastructure</h4><p>A key strategy of the movement involved crippling the British administration's ability to communicate and transport. This led to targeted destruction of vital infrastructure.</p><ul><li><strong>Bridges were blown up</strong> to impede troop movements and supply lines.</li><li><strong>Railway tracks were removed</strong>, further disrupting communication and transport networks crucial for colonial control.</li><li><strong>Telegraph lines were cut</strong>, isolating administrative centers and preventing the rapid dissemination of orders and intelligence.</li></ul><h4>Underground Activities and Key Personalities</h4><p>With most prominent leaders incarcerated, a significant aspect of the QIM involved <strong>underground activities</strong>. These covert operations aimed to sustain the movement, coordinate resistance, and disseminate information.</p><div class='info-box'><p>Key personalities involved in underground activities included <strong>Rammanohar Lohia</strong>, <strong>Jayaprakash Narayan</strong>, <strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong>, <strong>Usha Mehta</strong>, and <strong>R.P. Goenka</strong>.</p></div><p>These leaders worked to keep the spirit of rebellion alive, often at great personal risk, through various clandestine means.</p><h4>The Role of Underground Radio</h4><p>A notable initiative during this period was the establishment of an <strong>underground radio station</strong>. This served as a crucial tool for communication and propaganda, bypassing government censorship.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Usha Mehta</strong> was instrumental in starting an <strong>underground radio</strong> in <strong>Bombay</strong>, which broadcasted nationalist messages and news of the movement's progress to the masses.</p></div><h4>Leadership and the AICC Session</h4><p>Despite the arrest of top leaders, the movement found new figures to lead. The <strong>All India Congress Committee (AICC) session</strong> on <strong>August 9th</strong> proceeded under challenging circumstances.</p><div class='info-box'><p>A young and relatively unknown leader, <strong>Aruna Asaf Ali</strong>, presided over the <strong>AICC session</strong> and courageously hoisted the <strong>flag</strong>, symbolizing continued resistance.</p></div><p>Following these events, the <strong>Congress party</strong> was officially <strong>banned</strong> by the government, further escalating the confrontation.</p><h4>Emergence of Parallel Governments</h4><p>A significant development showcasing the extent of public defiance was the formation of <strong>parallel governments</strong> in several regions. These administrations challenged British authority directly.</p><ul><li><strong>Ballia</strong> in <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> saw the establishment of a parallel government under <strong>Chittu Pandey</strong>.</li><li><strong>Tamluk</strong> in <strong>Bengal</strong> (<strong>Jatiya Sarkar</strong>) also formed its own administration.</li><li><strong>Satara</strong> in <strong>Maharashtra</strong> (<strong>Prati Sarkar</strong>) became another stronghold of self-rule.</li></ul><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>Understanding the locations and leaders of these <strong>parallel governments</strong> is crucial for Mains answers, as they illustrate the decentralized and radical nature of <strong>QIM</strong>.</p></div><h4>Extent of Mass Participation</h4><p>The <strong>Quit India Movement</strong> was characterized by widespread participation from diverse sections of society, making it a truly mass movement.</p><p><strong>Youth</strong>, <strong>women</strong>, <strong>workers</strong>, and <strong>peasants</strong> all played active and prominent roles, demonstrating a unified national resolve against colonial rule.</p>
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💡 Key Takeaways

  • The British government's response to QIM was immediate and brutal, involving mass arrests and banning of Congress.
  • The movement, though leaderless initially, saw widespread public participation, targeting symbols of authority and infrastructure.
  • Key underground activities were led by figures like Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Aruna Asaf Ali.
  • Usha Mehta's underground radio in Bombay was crucial for communication and morale.
  • Parallel governments emerged in Ballia, Tamluk, and Satara, challenging British rule locally.
  • QIM was a truly mass movement with significant involvement from youth, women, workers, and peasants.

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